Win opens up options for Kiwi heavyweight

much under the Covid pandemic.

Parker’s win, as he fought back from being on the canvas in the opening round, has polarised the boxing community, with many feeling Chisora was hard done by.

There was little sympathy from Higgins as he pointed out the realities of this tough game.

‘‘Winning in boxing is everything. It doesn’t matter how you win as long as you win,’’ Higgins told Stuff yesterday.

‘‘If Joseph had taken a loss, it would have been catastrophic, so it was a massive relief. He’s had the bad rub of the green a few times ... the Dillian Whyte fight ...this time he had the rub of the green, and it was timely.’’ Higgins hasn’t spoken to Hearn yet and is eager to hear his views. ‘‘I think Joe should and would do another multi-fight deal if there is an upside in it,’’ Higgins said.

‘‘Otherwise you’re better off going one fight by one fight ,and dealing with every promoter and TV network. If we need to we can cast the net wider. But we are happy with Matchroom.’’

Higgins felt it was crucial to keep Parker busy. The 29-year-old will head to Ireland for a longer camp with his new trainer, Andy Lee, hoping to be back in action in July or August for his third fight of the year.

Higgins has heard the talk of a rematch with Chisora and isn’t against it, though he wants to explore other options.

‘‘If the terms are right, yes, Joe would fight Chisora again,’’ Higgins said of a bout that has been touted for the undercard on the yet-to-be-confirmed heavyweight unification fight between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua.

‘‘To get a world title shot, you have to keep busy, keep fighting and keep winning, and it will come.’’

Higgins felt some criticism of Parker’s effort against Chisora was ‘‘misguided’’.

‘‘When you have a scratchy win, people write you off. Joseph has won five fights in a row, three by stoppage, all conclusive, and I include the Chisora win there. It was close, but it was conclusive, and I think anyone would see that if they watched the fight again, it was seven rounds to five.’’